The Central Intelligence Agency celebrated K9 graduation day Friday by promoting several dogs to work for the agency and retiring those dogs that have provided service for nearly a decade.
After four months of intense training, the CIA graduated at least four dogs to serve in an official capacity for either the CIA or other organizations.
In order for the dogs to graduated, the pups and handlers had to pass two national certification tests: one administered by the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and another by the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA). The tests they took are the gold standard for explosive detection dog certification.
CIA K9s Nicole, Indigo and Freya all passed those tests. Freya and her handler earned the “Top Dog Award” for scoring 298.68 out of 300 points on the USPCA test. Another dog, Heide, who belongs to the Frederick County Fire Marshal in Virginia, also aced her certifications, as well.
As new pups come in to train and work for the CIA, others retire after serving the agency for several years.
Most CIA dogs work for about seven to eight years before retiring into civilian life.
“Just about all of our dogs retire with their handlers and their families,” a news release said. “If a handler cannot adopt their retiring dog due to a family situation or other reasons, then the option is given to another handler in the K9 unit.”
Most CIA officers love their animals so much that they hardly ever retire the dogs outside of the unit, according to the CIA.
The three dogs that retired this year are Gears, Lucy and Osmond.
Since the dogs are no longer employed by the agency, their veterinary care is no longer covered by the government. Medical care and other assistance are offered by a program called Paws of Honor, a nonprofit started by one of the local veterinary practices.
Paws of Honor provides necessary medical care, as well as routine physicals and other items.
